Before embarking on any renovation project, applying for county renovation permits is a mandatory step so as to get the necessary approval from the county government from which the premises is located. Only after a successful submission and approval, will the renovation permits be issued and works commence. “How do you go about applying for county renovation permits?” you may ask. Today I’ll walk you through the application process for projects based in Nairobi County. But beforehand, you’ll first need to understand the various renovation permit category options available, so as to properly fill out the application form. These categories are broken down based on the scope of works being carried out, and form the basis of your application.
Category A
Category A is the first or rather lowest category you can apply for. The cost is set at Ksh. 4,000.00 and covers the following works: Painting, Floor and Wall Tiling, Ceiling works, Electrical and Welding works, Plumbing works, Wire brush washing, Shelving, Kitchen cabinets, Doors and Window repairs, Roller shutter as well as Drainage repairs. As long as your project involves any number of the aforementioned works, then your application will begin with a submission for a Category A renovation permit.
Category B
Next up we have Category B; this is the middle tier category that you need to apply for if the renovation works surpass those of the first category. The cost is set at Ksh. 10,000.00 and covers the following works: Parking repairs, Cabro works, Paving slabs or Block work, Water tank installation, Borehole drilling, Boundary wall repairs, Cyclone, Wind vane and Artificial Coolant or HVAC works, Waterproofing, Driveway repairs within the plot, Roof repairs and Demolitions whereby you’ll need to attach a copy of the approved plan. If the renovation works you want done fall under both categories, then you’ll need to apply for a Category B renovation permit and specify all the works you’ll be carrying out.
Category C
Finally, we have the Category C which is the highest category you can apply for, and the cost varies depending on the amount or level of works being done. It covers Partitioning works charged per square metre and these include works such as the construction of a site office or other partitioning works involving gypsum or MDF/Block boards, EPS panels, Aluminium profiles, Timber, Hollow blocks and/or Masonry walling. As was in the previous case, if the works being carried out fall under all three categories, then you’ll need to apply for a Category C renovation permit and specify every single one of the works.
Documentation
Once done with the application form, you’ll need to submit several supporting documents that not only prove your ownership or direct responsibility of the said premises, but also guarantee or rather assure the county office that you won’t deviate from the approved works. These documents include:
#1 A coloured photo of the existing development
#2 A copy of the title deed or registered lease of the said development
#3 A letter of consent and application letter from the registered owner
#4 An affidavit from the Commissioner of Oaths
#5 And finally, a duly filled application form
With these documents on hand, you can now head to the Nairobi County development office and apply for the renovation permit, pay the requisite amount and wait the three to four (3-4) days needed to process your application. Once ready, and with the renovation permit in place, you’ll have three (3) months to carry out the renovation works to completion. However, should the three (3) months lapse before you’re done, you’ll need to submit a fresh application lest county officers show up on your doorstep and not only arrest the workers on site, but also confiscate all the equipment they find. Believe me, it’ll cost you more to secure their release than the week it’ll take you to apply for the county renovation permits. So, take the time, do it right and should you have any queries, feel free to reach out to us or visit the nearest county offices.
Till next time…Baraka Tele
